Bureau of Immigration border security, enforce immigration laws, and protect Filipino workers and legitimate businesses, arrested 83 foreign nationals during a large-scale intelligence-driven operation in Baclaran, Pasay City.
According to a report from BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr., the operation was carried out on on January following weeks of surveillance and verification. The raid stemmed from an intelligence report received by the BI on the presence of foreign workers conducting retail operations in the area.
BI operatives conducted the operation on Wednesday morning at a retail center in Baclaran, armed with a mission order from BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.
Those arrested included 68 Bangladeshi nationals, 14 Chinese nationals, and one Indian national. There were a total of 81 males and 2 females in the group.
Initial records check showed that while some of the foreigners held valid visas, they were engaged in retail trade activities prohibited under Philippine law. There were 18 of them who merely held tourist visas, while six of them still had their identities for verification.
The foreigners are facing charges for immigration violations including undocumented stay, misrepresentation, and violation of Republic Act No. 8762 or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, which prohibits foreigners from engaging in retail trade without proper authority, regardless of visa status.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stressed that possession of a visa does not grant blanket authority to work or do business in the country. our immigration laws must be enforced firmly and without exception.
Foreign nationals who abuse their stay and illegally compete with Filipino livelihoods will be dealt with accordingly,” Viado said.
All apprehended foreign nationals were brought to BI custody for documentation, inquest proceedings, and the initiation of deportation cases, in accordance with existing immigration laws and procedures.
The BI reiterated its warning to foreign nationals to strictly comply with the conditions of their stay, and to business establishments to ensure that their workers and operators are properly documented and legally authorized.
